Apparatus for guiding endless-track vehicles on railway tracks



7, 1933; 'r. KOSSAKOWSKI APPARATUS FOR GUIDING ENDLESS TRACK VEHICLES ON RAILWAY TRACKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 24, 1933 MP4, il l v r 7 1933- T. KOSSAKOWSKI 1,933,811

APPARATUS FOR GUIDING ENDLESS TRACK VEHICLES ON RAILWAY TRACKS Filed April 24. 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I. Koss lKowsKi Patented Nov. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES APPARATUS FOR GUIDING ENDLESS-TRACK VEHECLES ON RAILWVAY TRACKS Tadeusz Kossakowski, Warsaw, Poland Application April 24, 1933, Serial No. 667,716, and

in Germany February 21, 1933 29 Claims,

The subject of the present invention is an apparatus which enables endless track vehicles to travel upon railway tracks. This apparatus in accordance with the invention is in the form of a frame which embraces the endless-track vehicle and is provided with railway track Wheels. The frame provided. with wheels thus constitutes a carriage in which the endless-track vehicle is accommodated in such a manner that its endless tracks lie upon the rails of the railway track, whereby the endless-track vehicle can travel upon the railway rails without the possibility of sliding off them.

According to the invention the apparatus which enables the endless-track vehicle to travel upon the railway track is so constructed that the endless track vehicle itself can travel on to or into it without it being necessary for the driver or the crew to alight.

Since railway rails are smooth, it is not necessary for the enmess tracks to bear hard thereon as is the case on the contrary when travelling for instance across country or upon the road. Owing to this reason a portion of the weight of the endless track vehicle may be transferred to the wheels of the guiding apparatus, that is to say to the wheels of the carriage in which the endlesstrack vehicle is accommodated. When the tracks of the endless-track vehicle are partly relieved of load they have a higher efficiency and thetravel of the endless-track vehicle upon the railway rails then necessitates a much smaller output of the motor, the power in excess of which may in such cases be utilized for increasing the speed of travel.

An endless-track vehicle together with the guiding apparatus, which in accordance with the invention is provided with means for transferring a portion of the weight of the endless-track vehicle to the railway track wheels of the guiding apparatus, actually travels at a much higher speed than would be possible upon the road.

The subject of the invention is illustrated in a number of constructional forms in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which, as well as in the following description still further features of the invention are set forth.

Figure l is a side elevation of a guiding apparatus in the form of a frame in which the endless-track vehicle is seated,

Figure 2 is a top plan view,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a modified constructional form of the apparatus,

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus according to Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a further constructional form of the apparatus with means provided at both its ends which enable the endlesstrack vehicle to travel on to the apparatus and to travel down from it. I 7

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus shown in Figures I and 2 which enables the endlesstrack vehicle to travel upon the railway tracks has the form of a carriage and comprises the frame 1 and two axles 2, each of which is provided with two wheels 3. At one end of the frame 1 the shaft 5 is mounted in the bearing pedestals e, on which shaft the platforms 6 and '7 are pivotally mounted which serve for enabling the endless-track vehicle to travel onto and travel down from the carriage, said platforms being provided with brake blocks 3. The endlesstrack vehicle travels upon the platform 6 over the wheels 3 and downwardly upon the platform 7 into the frame '1, the brake blocks 8 being applied to the wheels 3, thereby preventing the latter from rolling upon the rails 9. The platforms 6 and 7 are provided with guide flanges 10 and the frame 1 with sheet metal guide Walls which guide the endless-track vehicle in such a manner that the tracks 12 thereof are brought 0 into position upon the railway rails. A hand lever 13 is rotatably mounted upon the pivot pin 14 on the frame 1, said hand lever being connected to a lever 16 by means of a rod 15; The lever 16 opens the claw-shaped grippers 17 which 5 serve for seizing the hook 18 or the like provided on the housing. The lever 13 is also connected by means of a tension member 19 to a support member 20 which by means of a spring 21 is also always held in a substantially horizontal position. If the gripper 17 is open, then the free end of the abutment member 20 which is pulled by the lever 13 and the tension member 19 is forced against the ground and renders movement of the carriage upon the rails impossible. The lever 13 is connected with the cranked lever 23 by means of the tension member 22 which is connected by means of the tension rod 24 with the lever 25. The levers 23 and. 25 serve for raising the platforms 6 and 7. The lever 13 is con- 0 nected to the lever 23 in such a manner that the platforms 6 and 7 are lowered when the gripper 17 is open.

The lever 13 is so arranged upon the carriage that it is situated opposite to an opening inthe housing 1 of the endless-track vehicle. If the endless-track vehicle is to be driven into the frame 1 of the carriage, then the lever, 13 is situated in the position shown in the drawings; the

platforms are then lowered, the brake blocks 8 11,0

hold the wheels 3 stationary, the abutment 20 is forced into the ground and the gripper 1'7 is open. When the endless-track vehicle hastravelled into the frame 1, then the lever 13 is rocked to the left (Fig. 1) by hand from the inside of Y the endless-track vehicle through the opening in the armour casing of the endless-track vehicle without the driver having to step out, whereby the endless-track vehicle is simultaneously secured to the frame by the gripper l? engaging round the hook 18, the abutment 2c is raised by the spring 21 and the platforms 6 and '7 ar raised.

On the springs 26 of the frame 1 is mounted a rotatable roller 27 which serves for elastically supporting the endless-track vehicle after the latter has entered the frame 1, a part of the weight of the endless-track vehicle being automatically transferred to the wheels 3 the endless-track vehicle resting by endless tracks 12 upon the railway rails 53 with a force equal only to the remaining part of its weight.

For regulating the amount of the portion of the weight of the endless-track vehicle which is to be transferred to the wheels 3 or for completely raising the endless-track vehicle in order that the tracks 12 do not bear against the rails 9 at all, the following apparatus is provided. On each side of the frame 1 are rotatably mounted two cranked levers 23 which are provided with swivel abutments 29 whicl'i are capable of being turned through 99 in the horizontal plane. To the upper ends of the levers 28 are articulated two rods 30 each of which consists of two parts which are connected together by means of a nut 31 provided with right and left hand threads, this nut 31 being accessible from the interior of the endless-track vehicle through its side opening. By turning the nut 31 the abutments 29 are raised and lowered and raise and lower the endlesstrack vehicle to the desired height.

This apparatus has the advantage that with the aid of the means for securing and adjusting the endless-track vehicle into a suitable position it is possible to manceuvre the vehicle from the inside of the endless-track vehicle. All the functions attending the travel of the endlesstrack vehicle into the frame and out of it can be carried out for instance in the tank without the crew having to alight therefrom.

In the constructional form according to Figures 3 and l, the inclined platforms are ir movably secured and are provided with extensions in the form of a smaller platform 3 suspended on hinges and provided with openings 33. The openings 83 are provided for the reception of the rails 9.when the free ends of the platforms 32 are forced to the ground by the tracks of the endless-track vehicle during the travel. of the latter on to the carriage. Each platform 32 is provided with a spring E l which supports it in a horizontal position.

A trian ular frame 36 is connected to the frame 1 by means of hinges 35, a hydraulic jack 3? or other raising device of a suitabl kindbeing situated under the of the frame. A lever 38 is connected to the jack 3'? which serves for pumping the liquid serving for raising the frame 36- and a second lever 39 is connected to the jack for opening the valve in the jack serving for allowing the liquid to pass out of it. The ends of the levers 38 and 39 are situated under the opening in the bottom of the tank,'whereby these levers can be manipulated from'the inside of the tank without the crew having to step out of the tank.

In Figure 5 an apparatus is shown in the form of a carriage which is provided at both its ends with platforms 6, 40 and '7 serving for enabling the tank to travel into and out of the frame 1. By means of this apparatus the tank can travel in either direction along the rails, in that the tank may be caused to travel into the frame from either end. In order to enable the direction of travel to be changed, the tank must travel out of the frame 1 on to the platforms '7, ll), 6, travel round the carriage and enter the frame at the other end upon the platforms 6, 40, '7.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for supporting an end css-track vehicle-on railway tracks, comprising a frame having railway track wheels for supporting the frame on railway rails, said frame being adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle and to retain it with the tracks thereof in contact with the railway rails.

2. Apparatus for supporting an endless-track vehicle on railway tracks, comprising a frame having railway track wheels for supporting the frame on rai. way rails, said frame being adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle and to embrace the endless track vehicle so as to retain it with the tracks thereof in contact with the rail- I way rails.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, having supporting means thereon for engaging the endless-track vehicle and transferring a portion of the weight thereof to the railway track wheels.

1. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, having supporting springs attached to the frame and rollers connected to said supporting springs, said rollers being adapted to engage the endless-track vehicle and transfer a portion of the weight thereof to the railway track wheels.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, having levers pivoted on the frame and support men1 bars on said levers adapted to engage the endless-track vehicle and transfer a portion of the weight thereof to the railway track wheels.

' 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, having a frame hinged on the frame of the apparatus so as to be capable of being raised and lowered thereon, said hinged frame being adapted to engage the endless-track vehicle and transfer a portion of the weight thereof to the railway track wheels.

'7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, having supporting means thereon for engaging the endless-track vehicle and transferring a portion of the weight thereof to the railway track wheels said supportin means having adjusting means for regulating the -portion of the weight of the endless track vehicle transferred to the railway track wheels.

8. Apparatus for supporting an endless-track vehicle on railway tracks, comprising a frame having railway track wheels for supporting the frame on railway rails, said frame having a plat form thereon adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle and arranged to enable the said vehicle to ravel thereon over the railway wheels on to the frame, said frame being adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle and to retain it with the tracks thereof in contact with the railway rails.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, having platforms thereon adapted to receive the endlesstrack vehicle and arranged to enable the said vehicle to travel thereon over the railway wheels and into the frame, said frame being adapted'to accommodate'the endless-track vehicle between the front and rear railway. track wheels.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, having platforms pivoted thereon adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle and arranged to enable the said vehicle to travel thereon over the railway wheels and into the frame, said frame being adapted to accommodate the endless-track-vehicle between the front and rear railway track wheels.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, having immovable platforms thereon and an extension platform pivoted to said immovable platforms, said platforms being adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle and arranged to enable the said vehicle to travel thereon over the railway wheels and into the frame, said frame being adapted to accommodate ,the endless-track vehicle between the front and rear railway track wheels.

12. Apparatus for supporting an endless-track vehicle on railway tracks, comprising a frame having railway track wheels for supporting the frame on railway rails, said frame having platforms pivoted thereon so as to be capable of being lowered and forced against the railway track by contact with the tracks of the endlesstrack vehicle, said platforms having openings therein for receiving the railway rails in the lowered position of the platforms, said frame being adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle and to retain it with the tracks thereof in contact with the railway rails.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, havingplatforms with guide flanges thereon adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle and arranged to enable the said vehicle to travel thereon over the railway wheels and into the frame, said frame being adapted to accommodate the endless-track vehicle between the front and rear railway track wheels.

14. Apparatus for supporting on railway tracks an endless-track vehicle having securing means thereon, said apparatus comprising a frame having railway track wheels for supporting the frame on railway rails, said frame being adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle with the tracks thereof in contact with the railway rails and having securing means arranged to co-operate with the said securing means of the endless-track vehicle for securing the endless-track vehicle to the apparatus.

15. Apparatus for supporting on railway tracks:

an endless track vehicle having securing means thereon, said apparatus comprising a frame having railway track wheels for supporting the frame on railway rails, said frame being adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle with the tracks thereof in contact with the railway rails and having gripping means capable of opening and closing and adapted in the closed position to engage round the said securing means of the endless track vehicle and actuating means for said gripping means for opening and closing the same for securing the endless-track vehicle to the apparatus. I

16. Apparatus for supporting on railway tracks an endless track vehicle having a hook thereon, said apparatus comprising a frame having railway track wheels for supporting the frame on railway rails, said frame being adapted to receive the endless track vehicle with the tracks thereof in contact with the railway rails and having gripping means capable of opening and closing and said hook of the endless-track vehicle for securing the endless-track vehicle to the apparatus and actuating means including a lever for opening and closing said gripping means.

17 Apparatus for supporting on railway tracks an endless-track vehicle having a body with an opening therein, said apparatus comprising a frame having railway track wheels for supporting the frame on railway rails, said frame being adapted to receive the endless track vehicle with the tracks thereof in contact with the railway rails and having gripping means capable of opening and closing and adapted in the closed position to engage roundthe said securing means of the endless-track vehicle for securing the endless-track vehicle to the apparatus and actuating means for said gripping-means for opening and closing the same, said actuating means including being lowered and forced against the railway track by contact with the tracks of the endlesstrack vehicle, said platforms having brake blocks thereon arranged to bear against the railway trackwheels in the lowered position of the platforms to render the apparatus immovable, said frame being adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle and to retain it with the tracks thereof in contact with the railway rails.

19. Apparatus as set forth in claim '15, having an adjustable abutm nt member mounted on the frame so as to be capable of being raised and lowered thereon, a spring connected to the frame and arranged thereon to support the abutment member in a raised position and lowering means connected to the abutment member and to the frame for lowering the abutment member against the force of the spring to force it into the ground for rendering the frame immovable, said lowering means including an operating 1ever, said operating lever being also operatively connected to the gripping means for closing the latter in the raised position of the abutment member.

20. Apparatus for supporting on railway tracks an endless-track vehicle having a body with an opening therein, said apparatus comprising a frame railway track wheels for supporting the frame on railway rails, said frame being adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle with the tracks thereof in contact with the railway rails and having an adjustable abutment member mounted on the frame so as to be capable of being raised and lowered thereon, a spring connected to the frame and arranged thereon to support the abutment member in a raised position and lowering means connected to the abutment member and to the, frame for low ering the abutment member against the force of the spring to force it into the ground for rendering the frame immovable, said lowering means including an operating member arranged to lie opposite the opening in-the body of the endlesstrack vehicle accommodated by the apparatus, for the purpose set forth.

21. Apparatus for supporting on railway tracks an endless-track vehicle having a bodywith an adapted in the closed position to engage round opening therein, said apparatus comprising a frame having railway track wheels for supportingthe frame on railway rails, said frame being adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle with the tracks thereof in contact with the railway rails'and having platforms pivoted on said frame for receiving the endless-track vehicle and arranged to enable the. vehicle to travel thereon over the railway wheels and into the frame, said frame being adapted to accommodate the endless-track vehicle between the front and rear railway track wheels, and raising and lowering meansfor said platforms including an operating member arranged to lie opposite the opening in the body of the endless-track vehicle accommodated by the apparatus, for the purpose set forth. .l

22. Apparatus for supporting on railway. tracksan endless-tack vehicle having a body with an opening therein, said apparatus comprising a frame having railway track wheels for support. ing the frame on railway rails, said framebeing adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle with the tracks thereof in contact with the railway rails and. having gripping means capable of opening and closing and adapted in the closed position to engage round the said seourin means of the endless-track vehicle for securing the endless-track vehicle to the apparatus and actuating means for said gripping means for opening and closing the same, an adjustable abutment mem: ber mounted onthe frame so as to be capable of being raised and lowered thereon, a spring connected to the-frame and arranged thereon to support the abutment member in a raised position and lowering'means connected to the abutment member and to the frame for lowering the abutment member against the force of the spring to force it into the ground for rendering the frame immovable, platforms pivoted on said frame for receiving the endless-track vehicle and arranged to enable the vehicle to travel thereon over the railway. wheels and into the frame, said frame being adaptedto accommodate the endless-track vehicle between the front and ma railway track wheels, and raising and lowering means for said platforms and an operating lever arranged to lie opposite the opening in the body of the endlesstrack vehicle accommodated by the apparatus, said operating 1e er operatively connected to the "gripping-means for, closing the latter, to the lowering means for the abutment member and to the raising and lowering means for the platforms, so as to enable the gripping means and said abutment member lowering means and platform raising and lowering means to be operated by a single manual operation from the inside of the body of the endless-track vehicle.

23. Apparatus for supporting on railway tracks an endless-ti acl: vehicle having securing means thereon, said apparatus comprising a frame having railway track wheels for supporting the frame on railway rails, said frame being adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle with the tracks thereof in contact with the railway rails and having gripping means capable of opening and closing and adapted in the closed position to engage round the said securing means of the endless track vehicle and actuating means for said gripping means for opening and closing the same for securing the endless-track vehicle to the apparatus, an adjustable abutment member mounted on the frame so as to be capableof being raised and lowered thereon, a spring connected to the frame and arranged thereon to support the abutment member in a raised position and lowering means connected to the abutment member and to the frame for lowering the abutment member againstthe force of the spring to force it into the ground for rendering the frame immovable, platforms pivoted on saidframe for receiving the endless-track vehicle and a ranged to enable the vehicle to travel thereon over the railway wheels and into the frame, said frame being adapted to accommodate the endless-track vehicle 7 between the front and rear railway track wheels,

and raising and lowering means for said platforms, an operating member operatively connected to the gripping means, to the lowering means for the abutment member and to the raising and lowering means for the platforms, so as to close the gripping means in the raised position of the abutment member and platforms and open the gripping means inthe lowered position of the abutment member and platforms;

24. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, having platforms thereon at both ends'adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle and arranged to enable the said vehicle to travel thereon over the railway rails and into the frame from either end of the apparatus, said frame being adapted to accommodate the endless-track vehicle between the front and rear railway track wheels. 7

25. Apparatus as set forth in claim 15, having an adjustable abutment member mounted on the frame so as to be capable of being raised and lowered thereon, aspring connected to the frame and arranged thereon to support the abutment member in a raised position and lowering means connected to the abutment member and to the frame lowering the abutment member against the force of the spring to vforce it into the ground for rendering the frame immovable.

26. Apparatus for supporting on railway tracks an endless-track vehiclehaving a body with an opening therein, and securing means said apparatus comprising a frame having railway track wheels for s reporting the frame on railwayrails, said frame being adapted to receive the endlesstrack vehicle with the tracks thereof in contact with the railway rails and having gripping means capable of opening and closing and adapted in the closed position to engage round the said securing means of the endless track vehicle for securing the endless-track vehicle to the apparatus and actuating means for said gripping means for opening and closing the same, platforms pivoted on said frame for receiving the endlesstrack vehicle and arranged to enable the vehicle to travel thereon over the railway wheels and into the frame, said frame being adapted to accommodate the endless-track vehicle between the front and rear railway track wheels, and raising and lowering means for said platforms and an operating lever arranged to lie opposite the opening in the body of the endless-track vehicle accommodated by the apparatus, said operating lever operatively connected to the gripping means for closing the latter and to the raising and lowering means for the platforms, so as to enable the gripping means and platform raising and lowering means to be operated by a single manual operation from the inside of the body of the endlesstrack vehicle. I

2?. Apparatus for supporting on railway tracks an endless-track vehicle having a body with an opening therein, and securing means, said apparatus comprising a frame having railway track wheels for supporting the frame on railway rails, said" frame being adapted to receive the endlesstrack vehicle with the tracks thereof in contact with the railway rails and having gripping means capable of opening an closing and adapted in the closed position to engage round the said securing means of the endless-track vehicle for securing the endless-track vehicle to the apparatus and actuating means for said gripping means for opening and closing the same, an ad justable abutment m mber mounted on the frame so as to be capable of being raised and lowered thereon, a spring connected to the frame and arranged thereon to support the abutment member in a raised position and lowering means connected to the abutment member and to the frame for lowering the abutment member against the force or" the spring to force it into the ground for rendering the frame immovable and an operating lever arranged to lie opposite the opening in the body of the endless-track vehicle accommodated V by the apparatuasaid operating lever operatively connected to the gripping means for closing the latter and to the lowering means for the abutment member so as to enable the gripping means and said abutment member lowering means to be operated by a single manual operation fromthe inside of the body of the endlesstl'ack vehicle.

28. Apparatus as set forth in claim 18, having raising and lowering means for the platforms, an adjustable abutment member mounted on the frame so as to be capable of being raised and lowered thereon, a spring connected to the frame and arranged thereon to support the abutment member in a raised position and lowering means connected to the abutment member and to the frame for lowering the abutment member against the force of the spring to force it into the ground for rendering the frame immovable, said 29. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, having platforms pivoted thereon adapted to receive the endless-track vehicle and arranged to enable the said vehicle to travel thereon over the railway wheels and into the frame, raising and lowering means for said platforms, an adjustable abutment member mounted on the frame so as to be capable of being raised and lowered thereon, a spring connected to the frame and arranged thereon to support the abutment member in a raised position and lowering means connected to the abutment member and to the frame for lowering the abutment member against the force of the spring to force it into the ground for rendering the frame immovable, said lowering means including an operating lever, said operating lever being also operat-ively connected to the raising and lowering means for the platforms so as to lower the platforms and abutment simultaneously.

TADEUSZ KOSSAKOWSKI. 

